BA single honours or in combination with another subject Religion, Philosophy and Ethics 2018/19

Year of entry

Religion, philosophy and ethics are keys to unlocking global politics in our increasingly diverse, internationalised and multicultural world. Religious, philosophical and ethical concerns feature regularly in the media, and underpin a range of often contested issues in the world we share. Our degree offers you a challenging and stimulating course that encourages critical thinking and lively debate.

95 % of our Religion Philosophy and Ethics students were satisfied with the quality of their course.

National Student Survey 2017

You will be taught by an experienced team of academics who have published widely on topics such as Buddhist philosophy, conflicts over Jewish identity and interfaith dialogue, religion in the media, multicultural Britain, and the history of philosophy and ethics.

Are you fascinated by religions and their role in shaping our diverse, globalised, and multicultural world? Do you enjoy reading philosophy, thinking about philosophy, and arguing about philosophy? Are you impressed with the seriousness of ethical questions, and want to explore issues challenging people today? Do you value open minded, independent, and critical thinking? If so, you will enjoy studying Religion, Philosophy and Ethics. Religious, philosophical and ethical concerns feature regularly in the media, and underpin a range of often contested issues in the world we share. A sound knowledge and in-depth appreciation of philosophical and ethical issues and their relationship to a range of religious traditions can be crucial in making sense of contemporary society. Our degree offers a challenging and stimulating course that encourages critical thinking and offers the opportunity for lively debate.

You can study French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish as part of, or alongside, your course.

“I must say that I have nothing but praise for the quality of teaching, intellectual enquiry and stimulation, and professional support I have received at undergraduate and graduate level, from both the teaching and non-teaching staff.”

Our single honours Religion, Philosophy and Ethics degree offers opportunities to study different religious and philosophical traditions, and explore how these relate to ethical theories and issues. These elements are studied alongside selected relevant areas of theological study. In years two and three you will choose from a diverse range of option modules. In our combined honours degree, selected Religion, Philosophy and Ethics modules are paired with those from a second subject chosen from an extensive range of degree courses.

Professor Robert Beckford has won numerous awards for documentary film productions on television stations including Channel 4, BBC 2, BBC4 and Discovery USA. He earned himself a BAFTA for diversity in educational broadcasting for a six part series for BBC Religion (Test of Time, 2002). Robert has pioneered theological reflection on TV documentary making.

Single Honours Religion, Philosophy and Ethics students and those combining the subject with Theology are eligible to apply to study for a year in North America as part of their degree. There will be a competitive internal application process, as spaces are limited, and acceptance will be based on academic merit.

The importance of St Martin’s Church, St Augustine’s Abbey and Canterbury Cathedral is now recognised by UNESCO, which has designated the combination of these locations a World Heritage Site. Our Canterbury campus lies between these ancient buildings, places that have inspired generations of people to develop themselves both spiritually and through education.

Year 1

Understanding World Religions (20 Credits)

You will be introduced to a variety of the world’s religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

Introduction to Philosophy (20 Credits)

You will be introduced to the history of philosophy in the Western tradition, and study key philosophical issues.

Ethical Theories and Issues (20 Credits)

You will engage critically with significant ethical theories and apply these theories to contemporary moral issues with reference to religion.

Introduction to Christianity (20 Credits)

You will receive a broad introductory overview of Christianity in its historical and intellectual development, and gain an understanding of Christian thought within its historical, social and cultural contexts.

Introduction to Biblical Studies (20 Credits)

You will gain an overview of the historical background and content of the Old and New Testaments.

Religion and Social Justice (20 Credits)

You will critically assess claims for, and approaches to social justice in the context of the Bible. You will also explore the application of social justice in the practices of Christians in a range of contexts.

Year 2 Single Honours and Combined Honours

Ethics in Religious Traditions

In addition to your mandatory core module, Ethics in Religious Traditions (20 credits), you will choose the requisite number of 20 - credit option modules from any of the following categories to make up your remaining credit requirement.

Selected Topics in Study of Religion

Selected Topics in Philosophy

Selected Topics in Religion, Community and Social Justice

Selected Texts in Biblical Studies

You will take the mandatory module, Ethics in Religious Traditions (20 Credits). In this module, you will engage critically with the ethical beliefs and practices of a variety of world religions. This module builds on the knowledge and skills obtained in your first-year Ethical Theories and Issues and Introduction to World Religions modules.

You will take the mandatory module, Ethics in Religious Traditions (20 Credits). In this module, you will engage critically with the ethical beliefs and practices of a variety of world religions. This module builds on the knowledge and skills obtained in your first-year Ethical Theories and Issues and Introduction to World Religions modules.

Year 3 Single Honours

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Individual Study

Year 3 Combined Honours

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Extended Research Essay

Religion, Gender and Sexuality or Contemporary Issues in World Religions

At least one (but not necessarily both) of these modules will run in any given year.

In addition to your mandatory core module/s, you will choose the requisite number of 20 credit option modules from any of the following categories to make up your remaining credit requirement.

Further Topics in the Study of Religion

Further Topics in Philosophy

Further Topics in Ethics

Further Topics in Theology, Community and Social Justice

Further Topics in Theology

Further Texts in Biblical Studies

Single Honours Religion Philosophy and Ethics Year 3

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Individual Study (40 Credits)

This module will enable you, under the guidance of a tutor, to undertake an extended piece of work in religion, philosophy and ethics based on your own research. This provides you with an opportunity to follow up an area of interest in depth, to enable you to develop skills in critical thinking and argumentation, and to lay the foundations for possible future work at higher degree level.

Combined Honours Religion Philosophy and Ethics Year 3

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Extended Research Essay (20 Credits)

This module will enable you, under the guidance of a tutor, to undertake an extended piece of work in religion, philosophy and ethics based on your own research. This provides you with an opportunity to follow up an area of interest in depth, to enable you to develop skills in critical thinking and argumentation, and to lay the foundations for possible future work at higher degree level.

You must also take Religion, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits) or Contemporary Issues in World Religions (20 credits)

At least one (but not necessarily both) of these modules will run in any given year.

Religion, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits)

This module allows you to foster a critical awareness of current issues in the study of religion, gender and sexualities, including focus on approaches to gender identity, gender equality, sexual identity, and sexuality practices.

Contemporary Issues in World Religions (20 credits)

In this module you will take a detailed look at a range of contemporary religious issues in the world today.

We continually review and, where appropriate, revise the range of modules on offer to reflect changes in the subject and ensure the best student experience. We will inform applicants of any changes to the course structure before enrolment.

Likely optional modules

Year 2 Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

In addition to your mandatory core module, Ethics in Religious Traditions (20 credits), you will choose the requisite number of 20-credit option modules from any of the following categories to make up your remaining credit requirement. One or more option modules will be offered in each of the following categories. Please note that not all available modules will run in any given year.

Year 2 Theology

In addition to your mandatory Christology module, Jesus in Christian Doctrine (20 credits), you will choose the requisite number of 20 credit option modules from any of the following categories to make up your remaining credit requirement. One or more option modules will always be offered in each of the following categories. Please note that not all available modules will run in any given year.

i) Selected Topics in the Study of Religion

Option modules in this category will allow you to extend your knowledge and critical understanding of various religious traditions. Current options include:

Buddhism (20 credits)

Islam (20 credits)

Judaism (20 credits)

ii) Selected Topics in Philosophy

Option modules in this category will give you knowledge and critical understanding of a range of philosophical issues, many of which are closely related to religious concerns. Current options include:

Chinese Philosophies (20 credits)

Kant (20 credits)

Philosophy of Religion (20 credits)

Religion and Science (20 credits)

iii) Selected Topics in Religion, Community and Social Justice

Option modules in this category investigate the significance of community and notions such as equality and social inclusion in religious traditions. Current options include:

Popular Culture and Theology (20 credits)

Religion and Community (20 credits)

Christian Faith and Ethical Living (20 credits)

iv) Selected Topics in Biblical Studies

Option modules in this category will allow you to acquire an understanding of a range of different kinds of New and Old Testament texts, develop an understanding of critical approaches to these texts, and to make appropriate use of them in a variety of contexts. Current options include:

Selected New Testament Texts (20 credits)

Selected Old Testament Texts (20 credits)

John: Gospel and Letters (20 credits)

Theology (20 credits)

Year 3 Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

In addition to your mandatory core module, the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Individual Study (40 credits) if you are a single honours student, or the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Extended Research Essay (20 credits) if you are a combined honours student, you will choose the requisite number of 20-credit option modules from any of the following categories to make up your remaining credit requirement. Please remember combined honours students must take at least one of Religion, Gender and Sexuality and/or Contemporary Issues in World Religions. One or more option modules will be offered in each of the following categories. Not all available modules will run in any given year.

i) Further Topics in the Study of Religion

Option modules offered in this category will allow you to extend your critical knowledge and understanding of issues and topics relating to world religions. Current options include:

Contemporary Issues in World Religions (20 credits)

Visual Culture and Religion (20 credits)

ii) Further Topics in Philosophy

Option modules offered in this category will allow you to further investigate a range of philosophical ideas, many of which are closely related to religious concerns. Current options include:

British Idealism (20 credits)

Critiques of Religion (20 credits)

Indian Philosophies (20 credits)

iii) Further Topics in Ethics

Option modules offered in this category allow you to explore further the ethical implications of religious beliefs and practices. Current options include:

Religion, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits)

Advanced Seminar in Ethics and Religion (20 credits)

iv) Further Topics in Theology, Community and Social Justice

Option modules in this category will allow you to further investigate the significance of community and notions such as equality and social inclusion in Christianity. Current options include:

Pastoral and Practical Theology (20 credits)

Religion and Politics (20 credits)

v) Further Topics in Theology

Option modules in this category will allow you to explore further issues of historical and/or recent issues in Christian doctrine and interpretation. Current options include:

Christian Doctrine and Interpretation (20 credits)

Theology and Literature (20 credits)

Theology and Literature (20 credits)

vi) Further Texts in Biblical Studies

Option modules in this category will allow you to explore in depth some Biblical texts or themes within in context of contemporary scholarship and selective interpretive approaches to Biblical texts. Current options include:

Biblical Interpretation (20 credits)

Contemporary Issues in Biblical Theology (20 credits)

Year 2 Option Modules

Buddhism (20 credits). This module will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of Buddhism in the past and present in a variety of cultures.

Islam (20 credits). This module will allow you to explore the history, beliefs and practices of Islam as it occurs in diverse cultural contexts.

Judaism (20 credits). This module will introduce you to different understandings of what it has meant to be Jewish throughout the ages. Studying primary sources from all periods of Jewish history, you will learn to appreciate the essence and variety of Jewish identity.

Chinese Philosophies (20 credits). This module will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of key Chinese philosophical ideas and traditions, such as Daoism and Confucianism.

Kant (20 credits). This module will centre on sustained engagement with the thought of Immanuel Kant. It will introduce you to Kant’s critical philosophy, and explain his pivotal role in modern thought. You will read selected sections from Kant’s works (in translation), and develop broad understanding of one or two principal themes in his philosophical project.

Philosophy of Religion (20 credits). This module will give you a detailed and critical understanding of key themes in the philosophy of religion.

Religion and Science (20 credits). This module will help you articulate a critical understanding of the relationship of religion and science, including questions of definition, method and the historical development of disciplines and ideas.

Popular Culture and Theology (20 credits). This module will introduce you to the relationships between theology and popular culture, including television, cinema, music, fashion and sport. You will critically examine theological approaches to the study of popular culture, and gain a thorough grounding in the key terms and concepts relevant to the study of this area.

Religion and Community (20 credits). This module will help you evaluate definitions of “religious community” across a range of religious traditions and contexts, and evaluate the connection between community identity and practice. Selected New Testament Texts (20 credits). This module will help you to understand a range of different kinds of New Testament texts. It will enable you to understand modern critical approaches to these texts, and to make appropriate use of them in a variety of contexts.

Selected Old Testament Texts (20 credits). This module will help you to understand a range of different kinds of Old Testament texts. It will enable you to understand modern critical approaches to these texts, and to make appropriate use of them in a variety of contexts.

John: Gospel and Letters (20 credits). This module will develop your knowledge and critical understanding of theology and religion by a study in depth of a corpus of highly influential early Christian texts, the Gospel and Letters of John.

Textual Explorations in Biblical Theology (20 credits). This module will help you to approach Biblical study through the exploration of theological themes with reference to the Bible, illustrated with selected examples of a range of texts from both Old and New Testaments.

Christian Faith and Ethical Living (20 credits). This module will help you articulate a critical appreciation of the ways Christian faith may inform and shape the moral life of communities and individuals. It will help you understand the theological resources available for Christian reflection on ethical issues, and apply your thinking to particular moral questions.

John Stuart Mill (20 credits) This module will centre on sustained engagement with the thought of John Stuart Mill.

Year 3 Option Modules

Contemporary Issues in World Religions (20 credits). This module allows you a critical look at religions in the contemporary world. You will gain a detailed understanding of key issues in world religions today.

Visual Culture and Religion (20 credits). In this option you will investigate the visual dimension of a variety of religious traditions which may include Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. This module will also allow you to explore the representation of religion in films.

Critiques of Religion (20 credits). This module will give you detailed knowledge about important criticisms of religion, and the significance of such criticisms for religious belief. You will evaluate critiques of religion developed by thinkers such as Feuerbach, Marx, Nietzsche and Durkheim, and others. You will explore a multi-disciplinary approach to religion.

Indian Philosophies (20 credits). This option allows you to develop a detailed knowledge and critical understanding of key Indian philosophical ideas. It will extend your knowledge of philosophy to include an important non-Western tradition.

British Idealism (20 credits). In this module you will critically analyse the complex religious, philosophical and ethical synthesis present in the work of Idealists in the British tradition such as T. H. Green, R. G. Collingwood, or others.

Religion, Gender and Sexuality (20 credits). This option will allow you to take a critical look at religious approaches to issues of gender identity, gender equality, sexual identities, and sexual practices.

Advanced Seminar in Ethics and Religion (20 credits). This option will allow you to investigate ethical issues in an advanced fashion with an emphasis on detailed critical engagement with recent academic research and primary material from a range of sources.

Religion and Politics (20 credits). This option allows you to critically assess a variety of responses to the relationship between “church and state”.Materials will be drawn from theology, religious studies, and political science such as the Gospels, Augustine, Marx, Liberation theology, and the Civil Rights Movement, and others.

Pastoral and Practical Theology (20 credits). This option allows you to study current issues in pastoral and practical theology, and to identify appropriate tools, methods and resources for engagement with the discipline. You will critically investigate challenges of faith in context, pastoral care, and Christian ministry.

Biblical Interpretation (20 credits). In this option you will explore some Biblical texts or themes within the context of contemporary scholarship and study philosophical and theological questions of interpretation.

Contemporary Issues in Biblical Theology (20 credits). This option looks at key contemporary issues in Biblical theology represented in both Old and New Testaments, offering you an understanding of recent theological thinkers who have sought to ground their understanding of faith primarily on the Biblical witnesses.

Theology and Literature (20 credits). This option helps you to understand theories in the interdisciplinary field of religion and literature and to appreciate the importance of literary theory, imagination and poetics for theological studies.

Modern Theological Thought (20 credits). This module will enable you to understand challenges and opportunities presented to Christian theology in our day.

God and Gothic: Themes in Victorian Religion and Culture (20 credits. Students will engage with primary sources which will allow them to develop understanding of the complex relationships of religion, culture, and politics, in the context of Victorian Britain.

Religion, Literature and Film (20 credits) This module explores religion, faith and spirituality from the standpoint of film narrative and the written word.

The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics degree opens up routes into teaching, through the PGCE, and prepares you for further postgraduate study at all levels through to PhD. In the context of contemporary, multi-cultural Britain, many public sector institutions such as the police, the civil service, and the social services, value people with expertise in this area supporting diversity and inclusion. This qualification will also help prepare and develop you for various roles in religious institutions, roles in charities and non-for-profit organisations, in development work, community-based roles, and aspects of welfare.

"Controversial, thought-provoking, complex and profound, the study of religion has been fascinating and rewarding, and the most important lesson I have learnt from this project, and indeed from my time at Canterbury, is the importance of not accepting things at face value, but to keep an open mind at all times, particularly when it comes to religion."

Additional course costs

Although we aim to minimise any additional costs to students over and above the course tuition fee, there will be some additional costs which students are expected to meet.

Costs applicable to all students

Category

Description

Text books

Own purchase text books

Travel to other sites

Where travel to other sites is required, this will be payable by the student

Library Fees and Fines

Where students fail to return loaned items within the required time they will be responsible for the cost of any Library Fees and Fines applicable

Printing & Photocopying

The cost of printing and photocopying undertaken by students to support their individual learning are payable by the student

Graduation ceremonies

It is free for the student to attend the ceremony itself. Guest tickets and robe hire / photography are additional costs payable by the student

Course specific costs

Category

Description

Field Trips (including potential trips abroad, and local and national trips to places of worship and sites of special religious interest).

Field Trips are offered as non-compulsory enhancement or enrichment activities, and are not included in the Tuition Fee. The cost of trips will depend on travel costs, entrance fees, accommodation fees, and other factors. The exact cost of trips will be calculated to provide an excellent experience at an appropriate cost, depending on the number of people involved.

Text books

The exact cost of books will depend on publishers’ prices. Academic staff will be mindful of the need to balance excellent resources against appropriate affordability. Text books will be supplied through the CCCU Bookshop, and will be available with any CCCU Bookshop discount which applies.

Composition of the course

Each 20 credit taught module will ask you to engage with up to 40 hours of academic contact time, together with an extensive amount of your own time spent reading, thinking, and writing. Academic contact time will typically be composed of lectures and seminars, but may also include field based activity, tutorials, or other activity, depending on what best suits a particular topic or discipline. Module tutors also hold regular office hours, when you can drop by informally to discuss the module or your assignments. All staff are available by appointment for longer discussions, such as to give you detailed feedback on your coursework. You will also be required to work independently, engaging in up to 160 hours of self-directed study per 20 credit taught module. In year three, single honours students will take the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Individual Study (40 credits), and combined honours students will take the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Extended Research Essay (20 credits). Each of these modules will expect you to conduct independent research under the supervision of the Religion, Philosophy and Ethics team, and you will be expected to meet with your supervisor on a regular basis.

Academic Input

The Religion, Philosophy and Ethics course is delivered under the supervision of a team of experienced academics, each an acknowledged expert in their particular field. All current full-time academic staff have doctorates and are research-active. Individual members of the current team have been recognised for their particular professional contributions to the field, and the University has awarded a significant proportion of them the status of Professor, Reader or Principal Lecturer. We sometimes recruit additional staff to help us teach some of our more popular modules, and involve our postgraduate students in teaching where appropriate. At present, most modules are taught by our core team.

This course can also be studied over four years with an additional foundation year (Year 0) for those without the formal entry qualifications. The foundation year is designed to provide you with the grounding you need to progress on to the degree.